Foraging for Fresh Eats!

*Excuse us once again for the unexpected hiatus... we've been doing some more rampaging around the world :)

Ah, Forage, back when it was young, fresh and unexplored. Their newly minted menu seemed full of potential, and the concept of sustainable dining was a plus. Our friends and I came in here with great expectations that grew even larger upon seeing their decor -- simple, clean and modern, with a touch of rustic. Our server was extremely attentive, patiently answering all our questions and giving recommendations of his own. All was well...

Smoked Albacore Tuna $22

The first dish to arrive was the smoked albacore tuna. The tuna was pretty nicely cooked as it had retained lots of moisture and flavor. I especially enjoyed the pickled vegetable and berries on top as it added an extra kick of sweetness to the fish.

Roast Bison Bone Marrow $15

This dish was probably the most anticipated of the night. While the presentation was pretty cool (you'll feel extra carnivorous trying to dig at a giant bone sawed in half), the taste was wholly missing. I am not kidding when I say this dish tastes like a lump of fat with some bread. Even as a lover of fatty meats I was not impressed.

Special of the Day

Given that this is a stew, I would have liked it to be much more hearty. While it was good, it seemed like it could have used a couple more hours simmering in the pot.

Squash Pierogies $12

I especially liked the bouncy texture of the skin, but overall these pierogies were quite bland in taste. The chips up top did add a nice crunch to supplement the soft bite.

Rangeland Game Burger $16

Sadly, the burger was probably the best dish of the night. It wielded the most flavor and satisfaction factor as it had a big juicy slab of smoky meat with fresh toppings. I especially liked their home-made ketchup to go with the thick-cut fries. It was almost like a salsa which I found to be especially refreshing after downing the heavy burger.

Dungeness Crab Cake $14

While the crab cake was nice, I'd have to say the superstar of this dish was definitely the salad. There's just something about that dressing! Otherwise, the crab cake itself is quite standard.

BC Spot Prawn & Seafood Chowder $12

To be honest, I held high hopes for Forage because it had such a nice interior as well as yummy looking dishes. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met and I had left the restaurant full yet unsatisfied. Don't get me wrong, the food is alright, but if you're looking for something to really hit the spot, Forage wouldn't be the place to turn to. Of course, our visit took place shortly after their opening, perhaps they've improved by now?

Taste: ★★☆☆☆

Environment: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Price: $$$

Forage
1300 Robson St
Vancouver, BC